Junior High Journal
News and Happenings in the Junior High Department!
7th Grade Updates and Reminders! 11/14-11/22
- Chromebooks should be charged every night to ensure the battery lasts throughout the day!
- Check Skyward and the homework calendar frequently for missing and current homework assignments, talk to your child about their work.
- Please remember that although you can email your students, absences and early pick-up information must be reported through the office. Please call the Yorkville School office.
Winter Band and Choir Concert
Thursday, Dec 15, 2016, 07:00 PM
Yorkville School, Washington Avenue, Union Grove, WI, United States
Character Education: Growth Mindset
Individual Class Updates
ELA News and Updates
Carolyn Heiar
carolyn.heiar@yorkville.k12.wi.us
This week in 7th grade ELA we continued reading The Giver and also focused a lot on outlining our creative writing short stories. In The Giver our chapters focused on the treatment of elderly people which we then researched in our class. Students researched how elderly people are treated in our country and countries around the world. We talked about how we could improve our treatments and we made birthday cards for my 89 year old grandmother to tie that it. Students completed and article of the week on new inventions that are improving the quality of life for people and they also researched adjectives to be able to be extremely descriptive in their creative writing. Next week is a short week and we are going to focus on adding the last parts to our creative writing outlines. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and an even better Thanksgiving Break! I am thankful for my job here at Yorkville and the opportunity to work with so many amazing students each day!
-Ms. Heiar
Math News and Updates
Mary Niccolai mary.niccolai@yorkville.k12.wi.us
Becky Seitz becky.seitz@yorkville.k12.wi.us
Algebra began working with linear functions. We looked at the requirements for a linear function. Students graphed lines by completing tables or finding x and y intercepts of lines. They learned the difference between the slopes of horizontal lines versus vertical lines. Horizontal lines have a slope of zero while vertical lines have a slope that is undefined. Finding slopes was a good review of the divide by zero rule. We will spend Monday before break doing a quick review of making tables, finding x and y intercepts, and graphing lines. It was nice meeting with some of you last week during conferences. I hope to see more of you November 21.
I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time shopping, decorating for the holidays, or simply spending time with family and friends.
Please contact me via e-mail if you have any questions or concerns
Mrs. Niccolai
Science News and Updates
Erin Weis erin.weis@yorkville.k12.wi.us
Students wrapped up their unit on the Diversity of Cells after presenting their Cell City projects and taking a unit test. The project ended the first term grading period and the unit test began the second trimester grading term.
We began to learn about the cell in action this week as well. The unit will be focusing on the processes that go on in certain organelles including the cell membrane, mitochondria, chloroplast and nucleus. After learning the basics of cell transport, students modeled diffusion in a cell membrane using a ziplock baggie filled with a starch solution that was submerged in a beaker filled with an iodine solution. Ask your child about the results!
When we come back from break, students will be asked to design an experiment that models diffusion and osmosis with some given materials and background information. This is bound to be challenging as it forces them to think critically and make connections but I have high hopes for their success!
I am very thankful for such a great group of students this year. Their unique qualities and their excitement to learn makes everyday enjoyable for their teacher! Happy Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Weis
Social Studies News and Updates
John Johnsen john.johnsen@yorkville.k12.wi.us
This week in U.S History the 7th graders started learning about the Andrew Jackson era as president in Chapter 12. We examined how Jackson lost the 1824 election even though he had more people vote for him. Then we focused on how he won the 1828 election and handled the big tariff debate with his vice president. Next week we will look at Jackson and how he handles the removal of the Native Americans. The focus will be on Jackson not following the orders of the Supreme Court and the struggle main Native Americans will go through. Again I would like to thank everyone who attended the Veterans Day program. It was nice to see such a good turnout and the respect the students gave to the Veterans who attended that day. Have a good weekend. Mr. Johnsen
Spanish News and Updates
Katy Morrow katy.morrow@yorkville.k12.wi.us
¡Hola! This week, we began our calendar unit by taking notes on vocabulary, asking each other "What day is it?" in Spanish, playing games and completing a scavenger hunt around the classroom. Have your child practice their skills by stating the date in Spanish each morning! We will take a quiz on this unit the first week of December and begin our last short unit, "Telling Time" before starting to learn more grammar concepts in our school unit.
Physical Education and Health News and Updates
Amanda Peterson amanda.peterson@yorkville.k12.wi.us
This week in health the 7th graders continued their Bullying Unit with defining bullying and determining the difference between joking, teasing, and bullying. They also decided whether different situations were a bullying situation or not and learned and reflected about the Pathways to Bullying.
This week in PE the students continued with their badminton unit. We learned and practiced the net drop, doubles serve, and how to play an official doubles game. On Friday, we played another one of their favorites, Castle Ball!
Have a super weekend!
Mrs. Peterson
Band News and Updates
Mike Beix
The Advanced Band continues to perfect our music for the Winter Band Concert which will be held on December 15 at 9:45am and 7:00pm.
Our first Culvers Fundraiser will be on Thursday, December 15 from Noon to 10:00 PM. A portion of your sales will be donated to our band students. Please spread the word!
The Jazz Band had another great rehearsal this week! We improved our reading of and performance of syncopated rhythms in Feliz Navidad. Jazz Band meets every Wednesday from 3:45 to 4:15.
Please check out the band website (tinyurl.com/yorkvilleband) to stay up-to-date with the Yorkville Band!
Choir News and Updates
Carly Kreuscher
carly.kreuscher@yorkville.k12.wi.us
http://yorkvillemusic.weebly.com
The youtube link for our Fall Concert from Nov. 15 with Nash Elementary is now available. If you were unable to attend the performance or would like to view it again, here it is…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-havCtSY9Zc4
We are currently preparing for our winter concert. Our Winter Concert is Thursday, December 15 at 9:45am and 7:00pm.
This years musical will be Music Man Jr. Auditions will be held during the week of Jan 9, 2017. Audition packets are available in the choir room. I have attached to music and choreography the students will need to perform during their audition on my website!!
We continue to work on music for Choral Fest. . Choral Festival is Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 7:00pm.
If you are looking for extra handouts, forms, etc. please check my website. I try to post everything I can so you have access at home!!! http://yorkvillemusic.weebly.com
Art News and Updates
Mrs. Herman is currently on maternity leave after having her daughter, Audrey Jean, on September 7th! She will be back sometime in December!